Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Sunday showcased a rare alignment of planets: One of Meijer Gardens’ best shows yet with one of Umphrey’s McGee’s best Grand Rapids shows ever, dazzling even newbies with mind-blowing chops and groovy lighting. Read the review and check out the photo gallery from a concert that drew perhaps the wildest crowd in the amphitheater’s history.
The celebrated jazz singer and pianist led a razor-tight band through everything from Irving Berlin to Bob Dylan to Tom Waits at a sold-out, sun-drenched Meijer Gardens amphitheater on Monday. Read Local Spins guest reviewer Lazaro Vega’s take on the show and check out the photo gallery by Tori Thomas.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Whether your tastes ran from the droll Garrison Keillor to the soul of The Temptations and The Soul Syndicate to the rap of ConvoTronics, summer’s music machine kept whirring this week — captured in images at Local Spins.
The Beach Boys brought The Temptations along on their return to Meijer Gardens on Friday, with both legendary bands — each led by one original member — churning out familiar summer favorites. Read the recap of the show and check out the photo gallery from a sun-splashed night.
Playing for a sold-out amphitheater, the singer-songwriter and opener Anderson East charmed fans with their own compelling original material and some delectable covers. Read the review and view the photo gallery.
A sun-splashed capacity crowd of devoted West Michigan fans cheered the stars of the “Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too Tour” all night long. Read the review and check out the photos by Local Spins’ Taylor Mansen.
Concert reviews · Videos · Weekend Photo Gallery
Summer heated up this week on the live music front, with national and local acts pumping up West Michigan audiences. And some big names rolled into Meijer Gardens, too, including Pat Benatar, The New Pornographers and Steve Miller. It’s all part of this week’s roundup in the Local Spins Weekend Photo Gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Just more than half full, the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday night resonated with the Canadian band’s unique, effervescent vibe. Check out the Local Spins review by Troy Reimink and photo gallery by Anna Sink.
With a sold-out amphitheater on hand, fans at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday were treated to a jam-packed set of classic rock favorites courtesy of Benatar and guitarist Neil Giraldo. Check out the photo gallery and read a roundup of the show.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
From Kalamazoo to Lansing to Grand Rapids, live music took center stage this week with the Tuesday Evening Music Club kickoff, Billy Strings & Don Julin, Nobody’s Darlin’, the season’s first GRAM on the Green show and much more in the mix. Check out the resplendent photo gallery with links to images from concerts by Mat Kearney, Patty Griffin, Mavis Staples and Joshua Davis.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
Although the Grammy-winning singers never took the stage together, their inspiring sets on a gorgeous Thursday night in Grand Rapids oozed “positive vibration.” Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
The singer-songwriter and opening act Judah & The Lion connected with the sold-out crowd all night to kick off the week amid gorgeous weather, leaving folks “Dancing in the Dark.” Check out the Local Spins review and photo gallery.
Features · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Tuesday’s “Family Night” kickoff will feature interactive performances of music and dance by An Dro, Michigan Hiryu Daiko, Leah Ivory & the Rhym Life Collective, Igor Houwat and more. See the full series schedule for 2015.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The weather cooperated beautifully during the holiday week for shows large and small, including sets by Mid-Life Crisis, Rusty Wright Band and bands at the Fourth of July celebration downtown. Check out the full photo gallery at Local Spins.
Banjos-and-bluegrass night at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday had some legendary, veteran players sharing the bill for a night of jamming and story-telling. Read the Local Spins review and check out the photo gallery.
Concert reviews · Photos · Summer Concerts
The gracious Austin-based guitarist and his band reflected a “beautiful, amazing” vibe at the outdoor amphitheater on Wednesday, uncorking a show to remember. Read the review and check out the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Grand weather and happy fans greeted the Mark Farner-less but familiar Michigan bunch, paced by Don Brewer and Mel Schacher. Read the review and check out the photo gallery at Local Spins.
Commentary · Summer Concerts · Upcoming shows
Despite some detractors, the intimate outdoor amphitheater unleashes its 13th season with a Michigan classic rock band and follows that with an eclectic mix of acts, old and young. Read the Local Spins commentary, and see which 15 concerts already have sold out.
Breaking music news · Summer Concerts
Saturday’s pre-sale to Meijer Gardens members drew long lines and saw quick sellouts for Harry Connick, O.A.R., Steve Miller Band, The Beach Boys & Temptations, Colbie Caillat, Diana Krall, Styx, Tony Bennett and more. And by Monday, show No. 12 had sold out. Read the story at Local Spins.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The popular regional music series kicks off for 2015 with world music on July 7 and wraps up with Ralston & Friends, with a host of impressive local acts in between. Check out the full season schedule and some highlights from last year.
Breaking music news · Concert announcements
The teaser announcement of three 2015 concerts for the outdoor amphitheater boasts big names, with the full schedule revealed in mid-April. Tickets go on sale to Meijer Gardens members on April 25.
Commentary · Concert reviews · Summer Concerts
On summer’s final day, Local Spins looks back at the rollercoaster ride of perhaps the busiest concert season West Michigan has ever seen, with exhilarating ups and stomach-churning downs.
Crow’s return to the outdoor amphitheater for the second year in a row impresses a sold-out crowd and proves she’s now a darling of the popular, record-setting series.
Led by Mike Love, the iconic band kept the years at bay and fired up a sold-out crowd. West Michigan musician Ben Zito provides the Local Spins guest review.
After a spirited opening set by Lowdown Brass Band, Lake Street Dive delivered one of the true musical highlights of the summer. (Review, photo gallery)
Concert reviews · Photos · Videos
Separated by nine miles, Tuesday’s two outdoor concerts in the Grand Rapids area boasted different vibes but the same enthusiastic crowd support. And T-Pain’s hip hop lit up The Intersection. (Photo gallery)
The first night of the unusual co-headlining tour starring G. Love & Special Sauce and Keb’ Mo’ at a sold-out Meijer Gardens amphitheater boasted separate sets by the pals and invigorating collaborations.
The acoustic guitar duo’s debut at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park was nothing short of masterful, electrifying new and old fans with rhythmic, Latin-hued and rock fervor.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
The musical weekend started early with shows at Meijer Gardens and The Intersection, and featured a mix of national acts and stellar local bands hosting CD-release shows. (Aug. 7-10)
For the ninth summer in a row, the engaging Texas singer-songwriter sold out his appearance at the outdoor Grand Rapids amphitheater.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
John Butler Trio’s sizzling set at Meijer Gardens launched a weekend of rock and hip hop, from Grand Rapids to the lakeshore where the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival ramped up to a climactic finish.
Friday’s sold-out show at Meijer Gardens unfolded as a triumphant, eye-popping return for the rock trio which first played the amphitheater in 2013. (Review, photo gallery)
Whilst short of a sellout, Thursday night’s Meijer Gardens concert boasted an enthusiastic young crowd, passionate performances and double-duty for Dawes as opening act and backing band.
While jazz fusion’s Pat Metheny Unity Group entertained a sold-out Meijer Gardens crowd (with many leaving early), rockabilly legend Bill Kirchen had folks dancing and grinning at an Ada restaurant. (Review, photo gallery)
The much-ballyhooed Ray LaMontagne tantrum at Meijer Gardens has sparked a mega-debate over the do’s and don’ts of concertgoers and performers. Local Spins columnist Tricia Woolfenden offers her take. What’s yours?
The fun-loving Canadian goofballs inspired sing-alongs, bra-tossing and an upbeat attitude in Sunday’s sold-out show, their first appearance at the outdoor amphitheater. (Review, photos)
In the wake of the “Meijer Gardens Meltdown” courtesy of Ray LaMontagne, there were compelling, less-controversial concerts and tour stops to behold this weekend, captured in images at Local Spins.
Weirdest night ever at Meijer Gardens? Acclaimed singer-songwriter playing sold-out amphitheater takes exception to loud fan chatter and departs amid f-bomb laden tirade, then returns to finish concert. Oh, and Jenny Lewis performed, too.
With fellow alt-rock/pop outfit Toad the Wet Sprocket opening the show, the California band played a host of its hits, some of them with an endearing twist.
National tours made mid-summer stops in Grand Rapids, from the country of Jennifer Nettles to the thoughtful indie-rock of Beck, plus plenty more local and regional acts captured in images at Local Spins.
Monday night’s tour stop by the spirited, entertaining pair was at times an immersive experience for the audience. (Review, photo gallery)
Some may have preferred a full-band show, but Browne charmed a sold-out crowd of concertgoers with his strong voice and down-to-earth demeanor. (Review, photo gallery)
Affable and engaging, the reunited progressive bluegrass trio rekindled its familiar musical fire with old favorites and new gems for a sold-out amphitheater on a picturesque night.
Psychedelic at times and instrumentally bracing, Sunday’s double bill unleashed “extraordinary things” for 1,500-plus fans. (Review, photo gallery)
The Tuesday night series spotlighting local and regional acts kicked off with a packed Meijer Gardens amphitheater for “Family Appreciation Night.”
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Electric Forest electrified fans with psychedelic fun and fireworks while country star Frankie Ballard reveled in a Grand Rapids homecoming show and Tegan & Sara made their Meijer Gardens debut.
The duo retraces Grammy-winning “Get Up!” in bracing show Thursday at a sold-out Meijer Gardens. The guest Local Spins review by The Crane Wives’ Ben Zito.
Despite gray skies and brief showers, Meijer Gardens’ seventh concert of the season entertained a sellout crowd with pop-hued folk-rock and alt-rock by two popular live touring bands.
Concert reviews · Weekend Photo Gallery
Founders Fest jammed downtown streets in Grand Rapids, but compelling shows were also on tap with Needtobreathe at Meijer Gardens, May Erlewine at Wealthy Theatre and more — featured in the Local Spins photo gallery.
Playing to a sold-out amphitheater on a sun-splashed night, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks led their jam-driven band through a guitar-fueled evening.
